The X Server Cannot Be Started / Graphic Login Fails

Support knowledgebase (xf336truetype_71)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: Version 7.1
This article refers to an older version of SuSE Linux. Therefore some of the informations given in this article may be outdated or the article may contain stale links.

XFree86: Version 3.3.6

Symptom

The x server crashes when you try to start it and the following error message is displayed: 
        Fatal Server error:
        could not open default font 'fixed'

Cause

You use XFree86 3.3.6 and your TrueType fonts are saved in: 
        /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/truetype
Starting from SuSE Linux 7.1, SuSEconfig creates the TrueType font files fonts.dir and fonts.scale in this directory. However, XFree86 3.3.6 cannot work with TrueType fonts and always expects a font 'fixed' in each font directory.

Solution

Delete the line 
        FontPath        "/usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/truetype"
in the file /etc/XF86Config. This must always be done after reconfiguring XFree86 3.3.6 with SaX. On the other hand, please delete the file fonts.dir in the Truetype directory 
        rm -f /usr/X11R6/lib/X11/fonts/truetype/fonts.dir
BEFORE your reconfigure XFree86 3.3.6 with SaX.
Keywords: XSERVER, KDM, XDM, LOGIN, FATAL SERVER ERROR, COULD, OPEN, DEFAULT, FONTS, FIXED, TRUETYPE
Categories: XFree86
SDB-xf336truetype_71, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 13. Feb 2002
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 16. Mai 2002 by ip (sdb_gen 1.40.0)